Increased noise from next door

so_very_confused

I have lived in my present home for about 15 years. I have had a series of neighbours families, young people, people with dogs... I have always been impressed with the lack of noise from next door. My home is semi detached on a hill and my house in approx 4 ft lower which helps with reducing noise.
I have new neighbours move in. They have done extensive work in the house looking at the never ending stream of tradesmen and the banging and hammering. This is not a problem.
What is a problem is that I can now hear almost every aspect of their daily life, doors opening/closing, chairs pushed away from tables, cupboards being opened, talking. I thought at first they were noisy people but the kind of noise I am hearing I am beginning to wonder if there is more to it. Is it possible that any work on the party wall could have compromised the noise levels???
Or am I going mad?

Aylesbury_Duck

They've perhaps got new flooring, replacing carpets with wood or laminate. That would have reduced the sound absorption in the rooms as well as possibly creating a "bridge" for vibrations to travel to the party wall. A minimilast approach to furnishing, swapping curtains for blinds and so on all create spaces for sounds to echo.

If previous neighbours had carpeted, heavily furnished rooms, it's not surprising you had less noise than you do now.

Davesnave

They may also have removed a chimney breast, Did you see large numbers of bricks in a skip, especially blackened bricks?

If they have, it's important the work was done to building regs standard, with correct supports. Maybe your council's planning dept will have details of their proposals, if they did extensive work?

However, I agree with the above poster that removing carpets and soft furnishings + adding stuff like laminates can drastically alter acoustics.

Furts

A likely scenario is chasing out the party wall for new cables, switches, sockets, wall lights, heating pipes.... It only takes one small hole in their wall, and in yours, such as at joist level (where things can often be dubious) and you will have a sound issue.

There may also have been cupboards, pantry, or storage against the party wall which has now been removed. These would have provided a sound barrier.

From your perspective pull back the carpets at your party wall and seal under the skirting and at any skirting/wall junctions.

Furts

If you want to get a bit more technical with your analysis look at the construction of your party wall. If it is blockwork cavity wall then you have solidity and in general are onto a winner. If it is dry lined, in particular with dot and dab then you could have problems. If it is timber frame then again you could have problems. In essence it will come down to have your neighbours loosened or dislodged something whilst doing their home improvements.

firefox1956

Invite yourself round for a cup of tea.......& have a nosy !!

so_very_confused

Thanks for all the replies.
I did wonder if they had fitted extra sockets or something similar. They have replaced curtains with blinds which may increase noise.
Not the kind you can invite yourself round to and having thought about it they are unlikely to want to remedy anything.
If I can't learn to live with it looking at soundproofing.........:)

Furts

Think carefully about sound proofing. There are smoke and mirrors companies out there and there are also snake oil salespeople.

You could soundproof, as far as reasonably practical, for not vast sums of money. it is simply knowing how. Without seeing nobody can give definite advise so ponder and come back to Forum Folks to brain storm.